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There are a lot of solutions designed to make data warehousing and processing more efficient. Thanks to cloud computing and the solutions that it now supports, businesses can store and process vast amount of data. This means businesses can generate more insights and make critical decisions by relying on data.
However, there is still a gap in data collection. Inputting data from within business processes is still a cumbersome task to complete. Data entry needs to be streamlined for the data ecosystem to be truly healthy. Fortunately, there are ways to streamline data entry for business, especially with the help of the latest technologies.
Barcode Scanning
Barcode scanning is the simplest technology to use when it comes to data entry. They are easy to print, don’t require special handling, and can be scanned using any infrared or optical device designed to read barcodes. You can even find barcode scanner software and apps that run on ordinary smartphones, which means integrating barcodes will not be a cost-intensive thing to do.
Barcodes are easy to adopt too. Many items that are in business inventories already have barcodes on them. Items that don’t have barcodes can be labeled accordingly when they first enter your business process. It is also easy to configure a barcode system that works for your internal business processes, plus you can use free barcode generators to produce the labels.
Automate
Next, businesses can turn to automation for better data entry. The presence of barcodes and scanners means tasks such as updating the status of an item, keeping track of inventories, and even monitoring raw materials as they go through your production line require less manual input. Just scan the same barcode and have data on that item updated.
This tip alone minimizes human error in data entry. Rather than submitting a separate raw material sheet for every batch, for example, scanning the code for the used raw material at every stage of the manufacturing process automates data entry and update. The same code can have multiple status updates along the line.
Healthy Data Environment
You also want to make room for errors and adjustments. Having a rigid data entry workflow is not something you want in today’s business world. Instead, adjustments and corrections must be acknowledged as part of the data entry process. A good example is simplifying the process of voiding transactions or making adjustments on POS terminals.
What needs to be the focus is data transparency. Every entry must be traceable to its original poster. As long as that transparency level is maintained, there is no need to worry about errors in data entry causing problems further down the line. Transparency also makes audits and further corrections (i.e., adjustment to inventory) easier.
Capture What’s Needed
Last, but certainly not least, you want to limit the amount of data being captured. It may be tempting to capture everything from the business processes, but this is not the approach you want to take. Trying to capture everything, including irrelevant data, only adds clutter and makes data processing and management more difficult.
With these four tips in mind, data entry can be a very efficient process. After closing the gap in data entry, data will be an even more important ingredient in supporting business growth.
